DEFA14A: Avery Dennison Sets 2026 Annual Meeting Agenda

Avery Dennison Corporation announces its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, detailing proposals for director elections, executive compensation, auditor ratification, and a stockholder proposal.

Summary

• Avery Dennison Corporation will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders virtually on April 30, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. ET.
• Stockholders are invited to vote on the election of 10 director nominees, the advisory approval of executive compensation, and the ratification of PwC as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026.
• A stockholder proposal for an independent Board Chairman will also be presented, which the Board recommends voting against.
• Proxy materials, including the Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report, are available online at www.ProxyVote.com, and paper or email copies can be requested prior to April 16, 2026.
• Voting deadlines are April 29, 2026, 11:59 PM ET for general shares, and April 27, 2026, 11:59 PM ET for shares held in a Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral, procedural filing for an annual meeting, providing standard governance information without significant positive or negative operational news.

Positives

• The company is proceeding with its annual governance process in a timely and transparent manner, providing stockholders with clear instructions for participation.
• The Board recommends 'For' the election of all 10 director nominees, indicating a stable and unified leadership slate.
• The Board recommends 'For' the advisory approval of executive compensation, suggesting confidence in the current compensation structure.
• The Board recommends 'For' the ratification of PwC as the independent auditor, maintaining continuity in financial oversight.

Negatives

• The Board recommends 'Against' a stockholder proposal for an independent Board Chairman, indicating a potential divergence of opinion on corporate governance structure between the Board and at least one stockholder.

Future Outlook

This filing is a procedural proxy statement and does not contain specific forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's financial performance or strategic outlook.

Management Comments

• The Board recommends 'For' the election of all director nominees: Bradley Alford, Mitchell Butier, Ward Dickson, David Flitman, Andres Lopez, Maria Fernanda Mejia, Francesca Reverberi, Patrick Siewert, Deon Stander, and William Wagner.
• The Board recommends 'For' the advisory approval of executive compensation.
• The Board recommends 'For' the ratification of the appointment of PwC as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026.
• The Board recommends 'Against' the stockholder proposal for an independent Board Chairman, if properly presented during the meeting.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that proxy statements are standard annual disclosures for publicly traded companies, outlining key governance decisions and providing shareholders with voting opportunities. The inclusion of a stockholder proposal for an independent board chairman is a common governance debate seen across various industries, reflecting ongoing discussions about board independence and oversight.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The issuance of a definitive proxy statement (DEFA14A) is a standard regulatory requirement for U.S. public companies ahead of their annual meetings, aligning with global corporate governance best practices for shareholder engagement.
• The proposals for director elections, executive compensation, and auditor ratification are routine items for annual stockholder meetings across most publicly traded companies, comparable to practices at peers like 3M Company or WestRock Company.
• The stockholder proposal for an independent Board Chairman reflects a recurring theme in corporate governance, where investor advocacy groups and some institutional investors often push for greater separation of the Chairman and CEO roles to enhance independent oversight, a practice adopted by companies such as JPMorgan Chase & Co. (with a lead independent director) or Intel Corporation (with an independent chairman).

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders are directly impacted as they are required to vote on key corporate governance matters, including the election of directors, executive compensation, and auditor appointment.
• The outcome of the stockholder proposal for an independent Board Chairman could influence the company's future governance structure and oversight.

Next Steps

• Stockholders are encouraged to view the Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report online and cast their votes on the presented proposals.
• The Annual Meeting will be held virtually on April 30, 2026, where the voting items will be addressed.

Key Dates

Keywords

Avery Dennison, AVY, Proxy Statement, Annual Meeting, Corporate Governance, Director Election, Executive Compensation, Auditor Ratification, Stockholder Proposal